Perspectives on Arizona-Anti-Immigrant Movement and the Politics of Exceptionalism

June 5, 2010 - Washington D.C. - From 2005 to 2007, Professor Roxanne Doty researched the anti-immigrant movement in Arizona. A new "Perspectives on Arizona" piece prepared for the Immigration Policy Center entitled The Anti-Immigrant Movement and the Politics of Exceptionalismis adapted from her recent book, The Law Into Their Own Hands-Immigration and the Politics of Exceptionalism (2009) University of Arizona Press.

Professor Doty explores the consequences related to the growing nativist, anti-immigrant movement in the U.S. She provides a look at contemporary, post-9/11 border vigilantism, and the dangerous and unproductive manner in which private citizens are drawing lines between who is worthy of inclusion in our society and who is not.

She also discusses exceptionalism in U.S. immigration policy and how the U.S.' long history of associating "the foreigner" with various threats to the well being of the U.S. populace has resulted in scapegoating and discriminatory policies such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

She also notes that recent passage in the state of Arizona of what is arguably the most extreme anti-immigrant legislation in the country should put to rest any lingering doubts as to the ability of anti-immigrant factions to affect policy and the lives of immigrants as well as non-immigrants. Senator Russell Pearce (R-Mesa, Arizona), sponsor of the bill known as SB0170, was an enthusiastic supporter of the 2005 Minuteman Project border watch and is a well-known anti-immigrant activist.

The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) is the research and policy arm of the American Immigration Council. IPC's mission is to shape a rational national conversation on immigration and immigrant integration. Through its research and analysis, IPC provides policymakers, the media, and the general public with accurate information about the role of immigrants and immigration policy on U.S. society. IPC reports and materials are widely disseminated and relied upon by press and policy makers. IPC staff regularly serves as experts to leaders on Capitol Hill, opinion-makers and the media. IPC, formed in 2003 is a non-partisan organization that neither supports nor opposes any political party or candidate for office.

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